Auburn police charge three teens in early morning robbery

Auburn, NY -- Three teenagers are accused of attacking two people early this morning in Auburn and taking property from their pockets after the victims were on the ground, Auburn police said.

Joseph M. Shaw, 19, of 5342 Campbell Road, Elbridge, a 16-year-old from Elbridge and a 16-year-old from Cato were all charged with felony robbery and misdemeanor assault. A fourth suspect is being sought by police. Police are not releasing the younger suspects' names.

Police were called just after 4 a.m. to the area near St. Alphonsus Church, 85 E. Genesee St., in regards to a robbery that had just occurred. The two victims told police that they met four teenagers a short time earlier at Wegmans. The two groups split up, the victims said. The two victims were walking on East Genesee Street when the group of four teens ran up from behind and assaulted them, police said.

The two suffered superficial wounds in the robbery, police said.

While police were talking to the victims, Officer Mathew Hare and Detective Kyle Platt noticed a group of four people crossing East Genesee Street, police said.

By the time police caught up with the group, one of the four had left the group, police said. The other three were arrested.

Anyone with any information on the robbery is asked to call Platt at 255-4702 or Auburn police at 253-3231.